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HAMMERFALL “Avenge The Fallen”
HAMMERFALL “Avenge The Fallen”
By Iron Sheik
Although the beginnings of HAMMERFALL trace back to 1993 they didn't release their debut album until “Glory To The Brave” in 1997. Almost thirty years since the debut album HAMMERFALL has gone onto release ten more albums including their latest “Avenge The Fallen”. They are still putting out fist pumping metal with their new album. Not much has changed over the years in their sound or approach to power metal. Having started out as a band looking back to 80s metal, they are moving forward with honor, glory, hope and a call to avenge.
HAMMERFALL consists of Oscar Dronjak on guitar, Joachim Cans on lead vocals, Fredrick Larsson on bass, Pontus Norgren on guitar, and David Wallin on drums. This lineup has recorded four albums together, and they have become a cohesive band as a result. On A”venge The Fallen” HAMMERFALL's tradition of European Power Metal carries on. This time around things get a bit heavier on album eleven. Featuring as always great music no matter how you look at it: phenomenal vocals, excellent guitar work, great bottom end, and the great gang vocals sometimes reminding me of ACCEPT. Yet most of them are in typical HAMMERFALL vein. It rings true in opening song which is a heavier tune for the guys. Probably their heaviest and a great album opener.
Title track “Avenge The Fallen” is the first to be featuring the heavy gang vocals."What is the worst, be the one who died Or be the one who survived"? A question to ponder on our mortality they ask. “The End Justifies” boldly states "to be yourself can be a crime". Themes like "bigotry...passion...courage" all lead to a ."glory ride...no remorse...free...heavy metal in our hearts". An all inclusive place. Be who you are.
“Freedom” is next and it also touches on a similar theme as the previous song. "Free to rule my life (freedom) no repression (freedom)." Taking responsibility for ones true self. Fourth track “Hail To The King” touches on familiar HAMMERFALL theme like "Honor...glory...hope is born when all else is forlorn". “Hero To All” exudes all that is HaAMMERFALL ias "brother, we honor your call, a hero to all". Hints of the past surface with " we ride, we fly, we touch the crimson sky". A call to arms is heard: "brothers unite and heed the call".
Heading into the second half the album begins with “Hope Springs Eternal”. A plea comes forth to "live your life likes there's no end...learn for yesterday...hope for tomorrow..." This is as epic and as grand as the ballad “Glory To The Brave”. A track that rings true in my life...or any life.”Burn It Down” calls out to "unchain the beast, unleash the champion". Slaying monsters is the enemy. Fire, truth, fight, youth, a champion, and a mighty opponent are discoveries of who one is. “Capture The Dream” comes at us with "the will to fight is strong". Finding self and who we are and tapping into it is the plea here with "find the rhythm within (your spirit), let the future begin (don't fear it)". Fighting the naysayer within to reach for greater heights and to "be true to yourself alone".
“Rise Of Evil” implores "sell your soul for freedom". I am certain I can relate to this observation of "I dial the number 666, but no reply. I knock on Heaven's door before I say goodbye." A song about the eternal struggle within most of us deal with. I do. What is right, what is wrong. Album closer “Time Immemorial” is a song about pausing time. Since the beginning it has been happening. I have wished for it to pause in my life. I never expected or wanted to grow older or have things the way they are for me. "Yes, we all have our own mountains to climb...to conquer to be, to be set free". Yet here I am through the years.
“Avenge The Fallen” by HAMMERFALL has become one of my favorite albums of theirs. It does not stray too far from what they’ve always has done. Music and lyrics impart similar landscapes, and it rocks! There's a depth of passion on this new record that rings true to me. I can relate to the introspection that smashes the old and begs to be who you are and move forward. This is an album of breaking the chains and living with honor and glory. In its own way the cover of the album depicts Hector smashing old illusions. Be who you are, be proud, and be yourself in this current time and space.
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